TOM AND SAM PRICE'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE IN BONVILSTON AND BRIDGEND REVEALED

Thomas Tony Price, known as the 'Gypsy Horse King,' and his son Sam Nathan Price have been at the center of a disturbing animal cruelty case that has shocked the community of Bonvilston and the surrounding areas. Born on June 3, 1964, Tom Price, who traded under the name Glamorgan Horse Traders Ltd, has a long history of mistreating horses, dogs, and birds, despite being legally banned for life from keeping any animals.

In a recent court hearing, Price admitted to breaching his lifetime ban and was charged with a total of 26 welfare offences. His teenage son, Sam Price, who was born around 2005, faced 25 charges related to animal cruelty but avoided a prison sentence after pleading guilty. The court proceedings revealed that Tom Price had previously served a six-month jail term in April 2021 for cruelty involving sheep and horses.

An investigation conducted by Shared Regulatory Services (SRS) uncovered appalling conditions on Price’s properties. Authorities found sheep carcasses alongside animals suffering from maggot infestations and other untreated wounds. Some sheep had to be euthanized under veterinary supervision due to their severe injuries. The investigation also revealed that horses kept at the sites were subjected to neglect, often standing in deep mud with no access to water or forage. The animals were housed in hazardous environments filled with sharp metal and barbed wire, and many were kept in overcrowded, filthy conditions with no proper space to lie down.

Many of the horses were underweight, and some bore long-standing wounds caused by ill-fitting rugs. Despite his previous conviction for cruelty, Tom Price transferred ownership of the animals to his son, Sam, who was only 16 at the time. The animals were kept at two locations—one in Bonvilston and another in Coity, Bridgend. Despite being disqualified from owning animals, Tom Price continued to be involved in the care and management of the animals at both sites, which drew numerous visits from SRS welfare officers.

During these visits, authorities issued a total of 71 improvement notices addressing serious welfare concerns, including unsuitable environments, overcrowding, restricted natural behaviors, and failure to provide adequate water and food. These notices targeted the care of horses, dogs, and birds, but they were repeatedly ignored by Tom Price. The ongoing neglect and violations of welfare standards led to further legal action.

As a result, Tom Price was sentenced to an additional six months in prison, while his son Sam received a five-year ban on keeping animals, with strict conditions. Sam was given a two-week period to make arrangements for the animals he was no longer permitted to care for. Additionally, he was ordered to participate in a four-month Referral Order, requiring regular contact with youth offending services. The court acknowledged that Sam, now 17, had been influenced and manipulated by his father, and that he was of good character.

Following the sentencing, Cllr Ruba Sivagnanam, the cabinet member for regulatory services at Vale Council, expressed her strong disapproval of the Price family's actions. She emphasized that such cruelty would not be tolerated and highlighted the council’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting animal welfare violations to the fullest extent of the law. She also pointed out that the neglect not only harmed the animals but also posed risks to the wider community, as animals were often allowed to stray or graze on land they did not own.

This case underscores the importance of ongoing vigilance and enforcement in animal welfare. The authorities and community members alike hope that these sentences serve as a stern warning to others who might consider neglecting or abusing animals. The efforts of the SRS and local officials have been praised for their dedication in bringing justice and ensuring that such cruelty is addressed decisively.